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MYSTICISM IN INDIA
Jain Education International
It is only after and not before mastering the rules and practices of the first two stages that the Student of Yoga becomes fit to enter the third stage. This third stage consists in assuming different postures of the body at the time of practising Yoga. There is a class of Yogis in India who hold that the breath in the body is a part of the universal breath and that the health of the mind and body accompanied by spiritual bliss and knowledge will follow on controlling the individual breath in such a manner as to attune it to the cosmic breath. For this purpose they prescribe different postures of the body to be assumed while practising Yoga. These postures are said to be 84 in number and each has its peculiar influence on the body and the mind. By various kinds of postures and modes of controlling the breath the Yogis get over almost all kinds of diseases. Having thoroughly mastered the practices of the three stages, forbearance, observance and postures, the Student of Yoga has to learn the science of the breath and regulate its expiration and inspiration according to the rules of that scisnce. This fourth stage is called Prānāyāma. Proper Panayama destroys all diseases, an improper one produces them. By proper Pranayama the humours of the body are cleared, the body becomes light and beautiful, the digestive power becomes strong, health ensues and the body is than in a fit state for following the Yoga practice further. By the practice of Prana
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